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If you’re new to writing science fiction, our beginner’s guide will help you to get started.
On the other hand, if you’ve written a science fiction novel and are about to submit it to a publisher, or a literary agent, ensure you’ve got your manuscript professionally edited.
Below you’ll find 17 top science fiction book editors.
1. Lisa Kaitz
With over eleven years of experience as a freelance copyeditor, Lisa Kaitz is a capable professional who can take your current work in progress and help it move one step closer to publication. In addition to her experience as a freelance copyeditor, she also spent two years at Core K12 as a copyeditor, building the skills she now applies in her freelance business.
Based in Portland, USA, Lisa will serve as an objective source of feedback on your writing. She is experienced in editing women’s fiction, action, humor and comedy, literary fiction, mystery, and science fiction. “Dark Days” by Manel Loureiro, “The Thin Black Line” by Simon Gervais, and “The Cutting Room” by Jilliane Hoffman are a few books that Lisa Kaitz has edited.
Speak to Lisa Kaitz today.
2. Jenni Fry
In addition to years of experience as a freelance editor, Jenni Fry has been the managing editor at the University of Chicago Press since 2016. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Jenni offers proofreading and copyediting services for both fiction and non-fiction books, ranging from science fiction, historical fiction, and mystery, to children’s non-fiction and books on the life sciences and history.
Reviews from past clients speak of an incredibly positive experience working with Jenni, commenting on her professionalism and attention to detail. Her passion for supporting authors is clear, and demonstrated testimony of her efforts is evident from all accounts. She has edited books including “Sleight of Hand” and Smoke and Mirrors,” books from the Vigilante Justice Series by VF Streets, as well as “On War and Writing” by Samuel Hynes.
Connect with Jenni Fry to improve your work in progress now!
3. Samantha Zaboski
Specializing in working in fiction, Samantha Zaboski is a professional with experience in developmental editing, line editing, and copyediting. She completed her undergraduate degree in professional writing from King’s College and a Master’s degree in publishing and writing from Emerson College.
Samantha’s professional history includes four years working as a literary agency reader for Lana Popovic at Chalberg & Sussman. She’s currently working as a reviewer on Shelf Awareness. Her editing portfolio includes science fiction, literary fiction, and young adult books, with titles like “The Love That Split the World” by Emily Henry, “The Jealousy of Jalice” by Jesse Nolan Bailey, and “The Hidden Memory of Objects” by Danielle Mages Amato.
Samantha Zaboski is an invaluable source of insight that any science fiction writer should rely on!
4. Jesse Hassenger
Situated in New York, Jesse Hassenger is a professional and writer and editor. With experience planning, writing, and editing fiction and nonfiction books, he can provide aspiring writers with high-quality proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing. His professional experience includes over seven years as an editorial coordinator at McGraw-Hill Higher Education and roughly nine years at MacMillan Higher Education as a senior editor.
Jesse has significant experience in editing non-fiction books for education, as well as books on entertainment and history. Additionally, he has worked on literary fiction, science fiction, as well as coming of age, young adult, and mystery fiction. A few selections from his portfolio include “Intelligence” by Barclay Barrios, “The Film Experience: An Introduction” by Timothy Corrigan and Patricia White, and “English Essentials” by John Langan.
Go to Jesse Hassenger for editorial support for your next book!
5. Alison Cherry
With expertise and experience in editing, Alison Cherry has worn many hats over the years she’s spent working in the publishing industry. Her skillset includes copyediting, proofreading, editorial assessment, query letter review, and developmental editing. She particularly enjoys editing books for children and young readers. She’s worked for organizations such as ABRAMS, Scholastic, Algonquin, in addition to being self-employed as an editor for the last eight years.
For writers who have difficulty keeping their writing to a particular length or need a professional eye to ensure that their writing is consistent with the Chicago Manual of Style, you’ll want to reach out to Alison. She has completed editing science fiction books, such as “The Cityborn” by Edward Willett, fiction for young adults like “Loki: Where Mischief Lies” by Mackenzi Lee, and fantasy including “Unraveling” by Karen Lord.
You can expect clear, insightful edits from Alison Cherry that will advance your writing.
6. Jenny Bowman
Holding certifications from the Children’s Literature Association, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Jenny Bowman is a self-employed editor and writer. Since 2012, she has been providing developmental editing, editorial assessments, and query letter reviews for writers.
From her base in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jenny has worked on children’s non-fiction and fiction like coming of age, fantasy, books for middle grade students, and science fiction. “Willa of the Wood” by Robert Beatty, “Big Sky” by Ally MacWilliams, and “Hobgoblin and the Seven Stinkers of Rancidia” by Kyle Sullivan are a few titles that Jenny has contributed towards in the past.
Find out more about Jenny Bowman’s working and editing style here.
7. Scott Pearson
Perhaps best known for his work on the “Star Trek” novels as a copyeditor for Simon & Schuster, Scott Pearson has over two decades of experience as a self-employed editor and writer. With in-depth knowledge about the publishing industry, Scott also worked for over nine years at Quarto USA as an acquisitions editor, where he worked on books like “Tales from a Tin Can” by Michael Keith Olson.
Genres that Scott has delivered completed work on include military science fiction, epic fantasy, anthologies, and urban fantasy. For a sample of his work, take a look at Kirsten Beyer’s “To Lose the Earth,” “The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories” by Ken Liu, or “Mamelukes” by Jerry Pournelle.
Tell Scott Pearson more about what you have in mind and learn more about how he can help.
8. Lynn Baca
Dolores, Colorado, is home to Lynn Baca, an independent editor whose background in academic writing for the social sciences makes her uniquely qualified to edit fiction like science fiction. Her professional credentials are impressive enough: Lynn has worked in marketing for the School for Advanced Research Press (SAR Press) as a judge for the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards and a published, award-winning author.
She has been described as responsive, professional, and punctual by previous clients. For over six years now, she has been working as an independent editor, with the sole goal of making other writer’s works better. “Six Hundred Generations: An Archaeological History of Montana” by Carl M. Davis and “A Study of Southwestern Archaeology” by Stephen H Lekson are a number of titles that Lynn edited.
Allow Lynn Baca to demonstrate what makes her one of the most reputable editors in the country.
9. Laura Dragonette
A native of North Carolina, Laura Dragonette now calls New York home, where she serves as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. After completing a manuscript editorial internship at Yale University Press, she worked at Investopedia and Adapt Partners as a freelance web writer and W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. as an editor, before finding her current job with St. Martin’s Press.
Laura’s copyediting and proofreading take advantage of skills that she’s accrued over years of working in the industry, as well as her academic training from completing the Columbia Publishing Course and the NYU Fundamentals of Copyediting and Proofreading Books. Her areas of specialties including women’s fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, and literary fiction. She has edited for Michelle Gable, author of “The Book of Summer,” Alyssa Palombo, who wrote “The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence: A Story of Botticelli” and Janet Peery, the writer of “The Exact Nature of Our Wrongs.”
Contact Laura Dragonette today!
10. Michael Tager
Co-founder of Mason Jar Press Michael Tager has been involved in publishing since his days of studying English as an undergraduate student in university. Since then, he has acquired an additional undergraduate degree in psychology and an MFA in creative writing and publishing from the University of Baltimore. Since the founding of Mason Jar Press in 2014, Michael’s ability in editing and proofreading has continued to develop.
Whether you are an author looking for developmental editing support, copyediting, proofreading, or help with completing query letters, Michael is the professional you want to approach. He’s helped writers writing in multiple genres, including contemporary fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, and suspense. “The Horror is Us” by Justin Sanders, “Ashley Sugarnotch & the Wolf” by Elizabeth Deanna Morris Lakes, and “…and Other Disasters” by Malka Older are a number of books that Michael Tager has been involved in supporting.
Look to Michael Tager for a professional, reputable source of editing help.
11. Rebecca Brewer
After working for Ace at Penguin Random House from 2012 to 2019, Rebecca Brewer took the skills that she’d acquired in providing editorial assessments and developmental editing and started to freelance as an editor. Today, she continues to provide detailed, carefully considered edits to authors of science fiction, young adult fantasy, horror, and LGBTQ fiction.
Clients describe Rebecca as helpful, professional, and motivated as an editor. The vast range of interests that she holds in literature helps her connect with writers of all genres, and she is genuinely passionate about providing real feedback to authors. Her contributions can be seen clearly in many published books, such as “A Brightness Long Ago” by Guy Gavriel Kay, “Black Chamber” by S.M. Stirling, and “The Affair of the Mysterious Letter” by Alexis Hall.
Let Rebecca Brewer know what you have in mind for your book!
12. Sarah LaPolla
For an aspiring writer looking for advice on how to get published, who better to speak to than someone who has made a living out of selling books to publishers? Sarah LaPolla is a former literary agent with over six years of experience working as an independent editor. Her experience in the publishing industry offers query letter review, editorial assessment, and developmental editing for authors.
Sarah specializes in fiction genres, including contemporary fiction, science fiction, women’s fiction, young adult and horror. Feedback from writers who have worked with Sarah is extremely positive and seems to indicate that she provided valuable input and was a thoughtful, empathetic editor. She completed edits on “When You Looks Like Us” by Pamela N. Harris, “Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars” by Cory Putman Oakes, and “Gray Wolf Island” by Tracey Neithercott.
Take a look at what else Sarah LaPolla is able to offer you.
13. David Larkin
Situated in Beaufort, South Carolina, David Larkin is an experienced editor who intimately knows the expectations that a book must fulfill to even be considered for publication. He has worked at Dutton of Penguin Books for over eight years as a freelance editor, providing copy editing and proofreading services.
From books of action, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, and mystery, to non-fiction biographies and books on history, David has been a support to writers of multiple genres. Not only does he have the ability and know-how to provide the sort of support that writers are looking for, but he also has the genuine passion for helping. The extensive list of works that he’s helped edit includes “Dangerous Revenge” by Dan Petrosini, “Solo in Salento” by Donna Keel Armer, and “Tools of the Trade” by Philip B. Persinger.
Learn more about David Larkin here.
14. Tania Strauss
Aside from the last eight years working freelance as an editor and writer, Tania Strauss has built a career as a development coordinator, story analyst, and literary associate over the last two decades. The breadth and depth of her experience make her a resourceful ally for any author.
Tania offers developmental editing, copyediting, editorial assessment, and query letter review. She focuses largely on science fiction, mystery, historical fiction, short stories, among others. “The Matildas” by Dave Pasquantonio, “The Final Summons” by E.J. Stevens, Chris Philbrook, and Craig Martelle, and “The Eagle of Deceit” by Milkana Mingels are among the books that she’s edited.
Contact Tania Strauss for additional details!
15. David LeGere
Award-winning David LeGere is a professional editor and writer based out of New Haven, Connecticut. He holds certifications from Yale Publishing and NYU Publishing, as well as an MFA from Fairfield University. After over thirteen years working as an editorial director with FalconGuides, he co-founded a publishing company and has been working there for the last five years.
Services that David offers range from proofreading to editorial assessment and copyediting. He works primarily on fiction, including science-fiction, women’s fiction, mystery, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction. His portfolio features titles like “Catchlight” by Brooke Law, “The Astronaut’s Son” by Tom Seigel, and “Sorrow” by Tiffanie DeBartolo.
Allow David LeGere to provide you with some insight into your work in progress.
16. Tim Mudie
Weymouth, Massachusetts Tim Mudie is a professional editor who works on editing non-fiction nature titles at Appalachian Mountain Club Books, where he’s been working since 2019. Tim’s professional history goes back to his previous position editing for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a position that he stayed at for almost a decade.
Reviews from past clients speak of Tim’s ability to be professional, creative, and accurate in his editing. Along with his non-fiction work, Tim edits a great deal of fiction, including science-fiction, historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy. “Good as Gone” by Amy Genry, “The Sixth Wicked Child” by J.D. Barker, and “The Castle of Kings” by Oliver Potzsch and Anthea Bell are a few books that Tim Mudie has provided editing for.
Tim Mudie can help your book get to where it needs to be!
17. Elsa Sjunneson
Editor and writer Elsa Sjunneson holds multiple awards for writing, as well as degrees from accredited universities. In 2019, she won the D. Franklin Defying Doomsday Award Winner, and in 2020, she was the Nebula Award finalist for “Best Game Writing.” Her professional experience includes over twelve years as an independent editor and writer and stints working with Fireside Magazine and Uncanny Magazine.
With a Master’s degree in women’s history from Sarah Lawrence College, Elsa unsurprisingly specializes in providing developmental editing for non-fiction history, along with other genres such as science fiction, fantasy, and short stories. The list of books that Elsa has supported includes “Rock Manning Goes for Broke” by Charlie Jane Anders, “Blanca & Roja” by Anna-Marie McLemore, and “Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky) by Rebecca Roanhorse.
Speak to Elsa Sjunneson to learn more about her editorial services.
Some More Top Science Fiction Book Editors
18. Dave Pasquantonio
Since 2016, Dave Pasquantonio has worked as a freelance editor and writer. A member of the Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA), GrubStreet, and the Mystery Writers of America (MWA). His experience with copyediting, proofreading, query letter review, and editorial assessment is a boon for any author he works with.
Dave works on various genres, such as action, fantasy, historical fiction, and science fiction. His portfolio lists completed edits like “The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family” by Bettye Kearse, “The Eagle of Deceit” by Millkana Mingels, and “Marauders, Misfits, and Mormons: True Stories of Early Utah” by George Hubbard.
Communicate to Dave Pasquantonio and find out how you would benefit from working alongside him.
19. Lane Heymont
Operating out of New York, Lane Heymont is a literary agent and freelance editor. From developmental editing, editorial assessment, and query letter reviews, Lane works with authors of biographies, non-fiction business, military science fiction, and horror novels. Former clients have spoken highly of his apparent insight into the publishing industry and understanding of the writing and editing process.
His professional history as a literary agent includes a few years working at the Seymour Agency, followed by employment at the Tobias Literary Agency, where he currently works. His editing includes professional work on books like “Small Town Monsters” by Diana Rodriguez Wallach, “Super Volcanoes: What They Reveal about Earth and the Worlds Beyond” by Robin George Andrews, and “Black Friday” and Michael Hodges.
Take a look at the full range of Lane Heymont’s professional offerings here.
Do you know of any other science fiction book editors? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis.
